Page 80 of Fake it For Good
NOELLE
“Hey, can I talk to you for a second?” Cane asked.
He was in the back room where all the supplies for the kids were kept. There were three large boxes with the Carver Toys logo on them behind him. “What’s up?” I asked.
“I have a favor to ask,” he said.
“What is it?”
“I can get another shipment of toys here before Christmas,” he said and looked nervous.
“Okay,” I said. “Why? Is there something wrong with these?”
“No, but this is going to sound cheesy and maybe just a little gratuitous, but I’d like to watch you hand these out,” he said.
“The toys?” I asked.
“Yes. I know it makes me look like I’m basking in the glory. I’m not. No one has to know they came from my company. I just really want to see the looks on the kids’ faces when they see the toys. And I think you should be the one to do it. Those kids love you. You love them. It makes sense you get to be the one to play Santa. I promise I’ll have more toys delivered so they have stuff on Christmas morning.”
“You’re so sweet,” I said, grinning.
“Am I?”
I walked to him, grabbed him by the shirtfront, and laid one on him. “You are. Let me talk to Mrs. Drummond. I think she would be okay with that.”
“Thank you.”
“Thankyou,” I said. “You’re amazing. In fact, you’re so amazing, I was thinking I should give you a proper thank you.”
His eyes flashed. “What kind of thank you did you have in mind?”
“Do you work tomorrow?” I asked in a husky voice.
He shook his head. “I don’t.”
“Me either.”
“Are you thinking we should maybe finish here, pick up some takeout, and go back to my place?” he asked with his fingertip trailing down my cheek. “Movie night or we could go swimming again.”
“No swimming,” I said with a laugh. “I’m lucky I didn’t turn blue. But the movie sounds nice.”
“I have a hot tub,” he offered.
“I know you do, but isn’t it also outside?”
“Yes, but it’s closer to the door,” he said, grinning.
“Why don’t we find an indoor activity?” I suggested. “We could make a popcorn garland for the tree.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
“No,” I said, laughing. “I’m sure we’ll find something to do.”
“Oh, I already know who I’m going to do,” he said.
“I’m going to talk to Mrs. Drummond before this gets dirty,” I told him. “I don’t want to scandalize the kids.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
